Arizona continues to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most impactful civil rights leaders that our world has ever seen.
PhxSoul.com has organized a list of January 2017 festivals, parades and other celebrations in the Phoenix area that will recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We encourage everyone to bookmark this page and make plans to not only attend but to get involved in making these events as successful as possible.
Chandler
Each January, the City of Chandler holds a series of events to honor the community’s heritage and diversity, along with the spirit, ideals, life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the civil rights movement. Here are some of the events:
Life in a Jar: The Play
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Chandler Center for the Arts – 250 N. Arizona Ave.
6:30 p.m.
The courageous story of Irene Sendler, a Polish Catholic woman who saved Jewish children’s lives during the Holocaust. Irenasendler.org or evjcc.org.
22nd Annual Chandler Multicultural Festival
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Chandler Fashion Center Mall – 3111 W. Chandler Blvd.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Chandler’s 22nd Annual Multicultural Festival is a FREE event that highlights the diversity of our community through cultural music, dance, art and more. Stop by for two stages of entertainment and performances by our youth Creative Expression Competition winners, with special guests Melrose Poetry Bureau.
For details, visit for the Festival’s main site.
Drumline Live
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Chandler Center for the Arts – 250 N. Arizona Ave.
8 p.m.
This show-stopping attraction, created by the team behind the hit movie “Drumline” and new television series by the same name, brings the Historically Black College and University marching band tradition to the theatrical stage.
With riveting rhythms and bold beats, this versatile group of musicians and dancers brings explosive energy and athleticism to the marching band experience. CLICK HERE to buy your tickets.
Gilbert
Youth Art Competition
Students are asked to create art work that reflects Dr. King’s vision for peace, equality and unity.
Click here for more details on the competition.
Mesa
Mesa MLK Breakfast – 2017
Monday, January 16 – 8:00 AM
Mesa Convention Center, 263 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Mesa MLK Parade – 2017
Monday, January 16 – 11:00 AM
Martin Luther King Jr. Way & Center Street in Mesa
Community celebration including marching bands, business supporters, community members & leaders.
Mesa MLK Festival – 2017
Monday, January 16, 2016 – Noon to 4:00 pm
Mesa Arts Center, 1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
For tickets, vendor applications and more information, visit mesamlk.org.
Peoria
Black Violin Concert
January 18 at 6:00 PM
Centennial Plaza
9875 N 85th Avenue
Peoria, AZ 85345
In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the City of Peoria is bringing the musical duo, Black Violin, to the Centennial Plaza stage for a FREE public concert on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Black Violin, made up of string musicians Wil Baptiste and Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester, is the blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music. “Stereotypes,” released late 2015, marked the third LP but first major-label debut for the hip-hop/classical crossover duo.
This fall they have scored and composed for the hit television show Pitch, was the house band for the 82nd annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Presentation and continues their successful UNITY tour with more dates in 2017. Their first UNITY date in 2017 will be in Peoria.
Click here for more info:
https://www.peoriaaz.gov/NewSecondary.aspx?id=77414
Phoenix
MLK BREAKFAST
Friday, Jan 13
7-9 AM
Phoenix Convention Center
100 North 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Click here to buy your tickets to the Breakfast!
Barrios Bellos
Barrios Bellos is a one-of-a-kind cleanup and beautification program developed by the Valley Toyota Dealers Association in collaboration with Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. to help strengthen neighborhoods across the Valley.
Friday, Jan. 13 at 9-11 AM
Percy L. Julian School Rally
2149 E. Carver Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7-11:30 AM
Broadway Heritage Neighborhood Resource Center Cleanup
2405 E. Broadway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Barrios Bellos showcases the spirit of community service when more than 400 volunteers positively impact the South Phoenix Village neighborhood by cleaning the streets and alleys, and removing graffiti. This year, the event also offers the opportunity for the community to come together in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. annual Day of Service (Jan. 16).
Click here for more information.
MLK Boot Kamp
January 14 at 9:00 a.m.
First Institutional Baptist Church
1141 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
Event Cost/Ticket Price:
$3 per person
First Institutional Baptist Church (FIBC) is so excited for this special event for young people, the MLK Boot Kamp on Saturday, January 14. There is something for everyone as FIBC connects “Dr. King’s Dream with our Current Reality.” FIBC will make the connection through special presentations on civil rights, U.S. history, human rights, volunteerism, black firsts, mentorship and more.
Registration is $3 per person if you want the special MLK tee, but if you don’t guess what, it’s FREE!
Click here to register:
http://www.fibcaz.org/mlkbootkamp
MLK MARCH & FESTIVAL
Monday, Jan 16
–Departs at 9 AM from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, S 15th Street & E Jefferson Street
–Festival begins at 10 AM
Click here for the more details on the MLK March route in downtown Phoenix.
Visit azmlk.org for a complete list of on all MLK events in the city of Phoenix!
Scottsdale
Community Celebrating Diversity – CCD
Annual MLK Dinner
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
5:00pm | Registration/Reception
6:00pm | Doors Open
Henkel Corporation
7201 E. Henkel Way
Scottsdale AZ, 85255
2017 Featured Guest Speaker
William “Bill” Norwood, author of “Cleared for Takeoff: A Pilot’s Story of Challenges and Triumphs”, was the first African American pilot for United Airlines and flew the “friendly skies” for 31 years before retiring in 1996.
For tickets and more information, visit ccdarizona.org.
Surprise
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast & Day of Service
January 14, 2017 at 8:30 am
Surprise City Hall Courtyard
16000 N. Civic Circle Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374
The City of Surprise will hold its inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Day of Service event at the Surprise City Hall Courtyard.
The event will include a breakfast that kicks off at 8:30 a.m. followed by service projects at 9:45 a.m. The event will be hosted by Emmy award-winning journalist and ABC News anchor Steve Irvin.
Colonel Richard Toliver, renowned author, Retired USAF and friend of the King family, will serve as keynote speaker.
For more information call 623-222-1550 or email ervin.cutwright@surpriseaz.gov.
Tempe
19th Annual MLK Diversity Awards Breakfast
Monday, January 16
Tempe Marriott at the Buttes
2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe, 85282
All are invited to attend the 19th Annual MLK Diversity Awards Breakfast. Each year the Tempe Human Relations Commission honors local individuals, businesses, and community groups that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in Tempe. The 19th Annual Diversity Awards presentation will include a breakfast, entertainment, and a keynote speech by Ahmad Daniels.
More details at tempe.gov.
Project: H.E.A.L. The Live Experience – MLK Day Health Fair and Concert
January 16, 2017
Health Fair – 12 pm
Live Concert – 6 pm
Tempe Center of Arts
Imagine a place to be educated of the dangers of an unhealthy lifestyle. Picture a gathering place where people of similar life challenges sharing their survivor stories to encourage their fellow neighbor. Imagine a place where people can learn to create and maintain a better diet, better financial choices, embrace their city employees and law enforcement and be touched by the only universal language that transcends all walks of life… MUSIC. Well, imagine no more! Project: H.E.A.L. was designed to bring people from every community together and help them to be better, all while gathered around world-class musicians in one of the Valley’s finest venues on the day set aside to honor a visionary: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Click here for more info:
http://www.projecthealaz.com
Arizona State University
Arizona State University will host its 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in January 2017.
MLK Day of Service
January 14
Join ASU MLK Celebration Committee and Changemaker Central in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering in your community. Transportation provided for ASU students. Register now at: https://asu.volunteermatch.org/. Information: 480- 965-0305.
MLK Student Rally and Student Organization Fair
January 19, 2017
On North Stage MU and Hayden Lawn. Come celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and servant leadership.
Find more details on ASU events at asu.edu/mlk.
All events subject to change without notice.
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If you would like to have your Arizona event(s) honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. featured on PhxSoul.com, please click here to use our Submit Your Events form.
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